Childhood Emotional Neglect

Relationships

A Blame-Free Way to Reach an Emotionally Unavailable Partner

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on May 30, 2023

It can be lonely and painful to have an emotionally unavailable partner. Here's what you can do.

It can be lonely and painful to have an emotionally unavailable partner. Here's what you can do.

Passive-Aggression

3 Communication Styles That Gradually Poison a Relationship

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on May 23, 2023

What do passive aggression and sarcasm do in a relationship? They undermine your partner's trust and commitment.

What do passive aggression and sarcasm do in a relationship? They undermine your partner's trust and commitment.

Child Development

10 Common Misconceptions About Emotional Neglect

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on May 16, 2023

The concept of emotional neglect is often overlooked and misunderstood. Here are 10 false ideas many people have about it.

The concept of emotional neglect is often overlooked and misunderstood. Here are 10 false ideas many people have about it.

Self-Help

5 Triggers for Adults With Childhood Emotional Neglect

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on May 9, 2023

Growing up in a family that doesn't acknowledge or talk about emotions can leave you vulnerable to being triggered by 5 common, everyday situations.

Growing up in a family that doesn't acknowledge or talk about emotions can leave you vulnerable to being triggered by 5 common, everyday situations.

Depression

When "What's the Point?" Enters Your Mind Too Often

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on April 26, 2023

Do you too often find yourself questioning the point of things? This can be a sign that you are not paying enough attention to your internal world or feelings.

Do you too often find yourself questioning the point of things? This can be a sign that you are not paying enough attention to your internal world or feelings.

Emotional Intelligence

A Closer Look at the 35 Most-Commonly Felt Emotions

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on April 12, 2023

In today's world, feelings are often treated like a nuisance. But they are vital messages from our bodies, and when we pay attention to them, we can better fulfill ourselves.

In today's world, feelings are often treated like a nuisance. But they are vital messages from our bodies, and when we pay attention to them, we can better fulfill ourselves.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Why Emotional Neglect Can Feel Like Abandonment

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

Both emotional neglect and emotional abandonment involve a betrayal of your inner self, which can lead you to feel alone in the world.

Both emotional neglect and emotional abandonment involve a betrayal of your inner self, which can lead you to feel alone in the world.

Repression

Feeling Empty? 7 Signs You're Disconnected From Your Emotions

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on March 28, 2023

The sense that something is missing is difficult to identify or define. But it's your body's way of telling you that action is needed.

The sense that something is missing is difficult to identify or define. But it's your body's way of telling you that action is needed.

Self-Control

9 Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Boundaries

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on March 21, 2023

Personal boundaries are our best internal, emotional protectors, yet many struggle to define and understand what they are. Here are nine FAQs and a boundary-building technique.

Personal boundaries are our best internal, emotional protectors, yet many struggle to define and understand what they are. Here are nine FAQs and a boundary-building technique.

Relationships

Portrait of a Couple Overcoming Emotional Neglect

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on March 14, 2023

You can be married for 20 years and still not know each other on an emotional level. Fortunately, healing emotional neglect can enliven and enrich your marriage.

You can be married for 20 years and still not know each other on an emotional level. Fortunately, healing emotional neglect can enliven and enrich your marriage.

Gaslighting

5 Signs That a Loved One Has Low Emotional Integrity

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on March 7, 2023

Emotional integrity is required for authentic connection and trust between people. What do you do if someone in your life lacks it? It depends on the reasons why.

Emotional integrity is required for authentic connection and trust between people. What do you do if someone in your life lacks it? It depends on the reasons why.

Self-Help

How Unprocessed Feelings Can Keep You Stuck

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on February 28, 2023

When you get stuck in your life, it may seem like it's caused by a current issue. But it makes sense to consider whether some old feelings from the past may be at play.

When you get stuck in your life, it may seem like it's caused by a current issue. But it makes sense to consider whether some old feelings from the past may be at play.

Anxiety

Why Emotional Attunement Is So Important, and So Healing

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on February 8, 2023

What's almost like a superpower in relationships? What both prevents and heals emotional neglect? Emotional attunement, and you can learn it.

What's almost like a superpower in relationships? What both prevents and heals emotional neglect? Emotional attunement, and you can learn it.

Child Development

How to Talk With Your Spouse About Emotional Neglect

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on January 31, 2023

Childhood emotional neglect leaves you deeply uncomfortable with, and avoidant of, discussing feelings. So, how does a couple with emotional neglect approach a sensitive topic?

Childhood emotional neglect leaves you deeply uncomfortable with, and avoidant of, discussing feelings. So, how does a couple with emotional neglect approach a sensitive topic?

Gaslighting

The Harsh Truth About Brutal Honesty

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on January 24, 2023

Many brutally honest people grew up in emotionally unaware families and have problems understanding that people's feelings matter. There is a far better way to speak their truth.

Many brutally honest people grew up in emotionally unaware families and have problems understanding that people's feelings matter. There is a far better way to speak their truth.

Child Development

What Emotional Neglect in a Relationship Looks Like

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on January 17, 2023

Emotional neglect from childhood lurks under the surface of countless marriages. Here's how to see if it's dragging yours down.

Emotional neglect from childhood lurks under the surface of countless marriages. Here's how to see if it's dragging yours down.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

10 Ways Well-Meaning Parents Can Emotionally Neglect Their Children

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on January 10, 2023

Emotional invalidation is harmful and can take place in many different ways. Here are 10 examples of how it can happen.

Emotional invalidation is harmful and can take place in many different ways. Here are 10 examples of how it can happen.

Defense Mechanisms

Research Shows How a Smile Can Be a Blessing or a Curse

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on January 3, 2023

Sometimes a smile isn't just a smile. It's actually a defense mechanism.

Sometimes a smile isn't just a smile. It's actually a defense mechanism.

Child Development

3 Things Missing From Every Emotionally Neglectful Family

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on December 20, 2022

Emotionally neglectful families are defined not by their actions but by their inaction. It's what they fail to ask, fail to notice, and fail to discuss.

Emotionally neglectful families are defined not by their actions but by their inaction. It's what they fail to ask, fail to notice, and fail to discuss.

Self-Help

To Manage Painful Feelings Follow These Steps

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on December 13, 2022

We all experience painful and powerful emotions at times, and knowing how to manage them is a vital life skill. Follow these 8 specific steps to soothe yourself and move through it.

We all experience painful and powerful emotions at times, and knowing how to manage them is a vital life skill. Follow these 8 specific steps to soothe yourself and move through it.